And is it eating Milkweed ?
Maybe I don't know what milkweed look like, thanks for a reply
Is this a Monarch ?
Yes, that's a Monarch cat. It looks like it might be on some kind of milkweed vine. Maybe Honeyvine? Just a guess.
Thanks Linda for the reply
I have it in my little cat cage with 5 other swallowtail chrysalis.
Must find more of that weed.
Looks like it is big enought to pupate, so if it is at the top of the cage, and not moving don't disturb it.
Sheila, that's just where it is this AM
It should be in the "J" position by tonight and tomorrow morning maybe the chrysalis. Congrats for bringing it in!
Yes a green chrysalis this morning. ^_^
Then only ten days you will be a proud Papa! Get your camera ready! It happens in an instant, but the wings take a long time to dry. It doesn't need to eat right away, so don't release it for a few hours, just to make sure it is dry. I look forward to the pictures!
Have my calendar marked for 10 days. I'll try and get some photos.
You said in a previous post that swallowtails my take over winter before hatching,
have I got that correct ?
Thanks for all the info, Dwight
This message was edited Sep 24, 2008 1:23 PM
Some will, especially in cooler parts of the country. Even down here some overwinter and emerge in spring.
Yep, some will especially in your area. Just put them in a cold place that you would pass daily to watch them so they don't hatch and die because they weren't let out when they emerge.
It hatched last week, and off it flew.
Great Rentman! You need to plant some milkweed for Monarchs when they return in the spring.
I will plant some milkweed this spring, have seeds.
The plant I found this Monarch on was ID by Linda as a Honeyvine. I have it popping up all around my yard and was pulling it out until I found this cat.
I have seed not flowers on this Honeyvine and have walked the neighborhood looking for milkweed and have found none, so I don't know were the aults feed. But they are around, had two hatch by the back door last year.
I still have 5 swallowtail chrysalis waiting and you said it may take a year for them 'to fly'
I'll put the cat cage on the self, in the garage, and keep checking.
Must go now, I a large ice chest of cat fish to skin and freeze this AM. My son in law went fishing last night, (Full Moon), and left them at my back door, I told him I would skin and keep half and he said DEAL. The large one is 23" , may I'll cut him cross wise into stakes, my wife loves cat fish. ^_^
Not a year on the BSTs but they will wait until spring more than likely.
Nice looking mess of fish your SIL caught there. They will make a few nice meals for sure.
Huggs Sheila, never lived in TX but I know it's a great state ^_^